The 2019 Brexit coin… Are EU for or against it?

Have you heard the latest press rumours about the possibility of a commemorative Brexit coin being struck to mark the UK’s departure from the European Union?

In the news this week, we’ve heard that Conservative MPs are demanding the Treasury produce a ‘Brexit coin’ for 2019, but opinions seem to be split as to whether or not the coin should in fact be made.

Whilst the Treasury is believed to be enthusiastic about the plans, the Department for Business has reportedly rejected proposals for the Royal Mail to issue commemorative Brexit stamps.

Traditionally, stamps and coins have played an important role in celebrating Britain’s historical milestones.

In 1973 both a commemorative stamp and 50p coin were issued to mark the UK’s entry into the EEC, which was then incorporated into the EU in 1993.

1973 Britain’s Entry into European Community Stamps. Credit: The Guardian

1973 50p issued for the UK’s accession to the European Economic Community

As Britain reaches such a significant moment in the country’s history, should stamps and coins be issued to celebrate this, or is the issue just too controversial a topic for our nation to memorialise?

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson commented, “Leaving the European Union will be a monumental moment in British history, so let’s deliver a commemorative stamp that shows the world we’ve got Brexit licked.”

Despite this, the Royal Mail Director of Public Affairs and Policy has rejected the proposal for a commemorative ‘Brexit stamp’ on the grounds that the Royal Mail must remain a figure of political neutrality.

Nonetheless, Conservative MPs seem to remain ever hopeful that the plans for a commemorative Brexit coin will be granted.

The Royal Mint Advisory Committee will be deliberating on whether or not to grant approval for this proposal and if it is approved, the design will then be proposed to Chancellor Philip Hammond before being sent to the Queen for Royal approval.

In coming months, we may see a public petition and even a design competition for the coin, but will you be signing your name to support the production of this coin?

Results from our Facebook poll showed that 68% of you voted in favour of a commemorative Brexit coin. We shall see what the future holds for this coin as The Royal Mint Advisory Committee deliberates the proposal…

Please put it on a coin we use every day so we can get hold of it and not spend £5 or so to keep it. I have 6 £5 coins. I want to spend it not save it please

Rachel Hooperon June 7, 2018 at 8:10 am

Hi Graham, unfortunately it isn’t our decision which denomination is used. Traditionally the £5 coin is used to commemorate important historical events, however as we have seen from the 1973 accession to the European Economic Community coin, the 50p might also be a popular choice.

David Brookson June 4, 2018 at 3:33 pm

I would personally favour a coin depicting the Houses of Parliament to mark the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union. Why? Because, for many people, the purpose of the UK’s departure from the EU was to regain national sovereignty, and this is most poignantly encapsulated in the Houses of Parliament where British Sovereignty has historically resided.

As an aside, the Royal Mint’s enthusiasm for all things European has been all too evident in the last 45 years in its various coin issues and commemorative packs (its 1992 BU set talked about “honouring Britain’s entry into the European Economic Community in 1973”, whilst a 12-coin set it issued in the same year and containing coins from each of the member state described its “pleasing tribute to European unity”; accordingly, given the change in the political landscape, the Royal Mint should, in my view, be actively honouring Britain’s decision to regain itsindependence.

Rachel Hooperon June 5, 2018 at 8:31 am

Hi David, thanks for your comment. Your design idea seems very poignant and indeed I think that if they decide to hold a public design contest, you should definitely put this idea forward. It certainly seems that our political history has been honoured in the past, so why not now?

Richard Knuthon June 3, 2018 at 6:38 pm

Great Idea a commemorative Brexit coin, British History recognised.

Bill Walkeron June 1, 2018 at 7:23 pm

Whilst it may be nice to have a new coin in afraid over the last couple if years we have been inundated with new coins and a lot have still not been released or found there way into our change ( if they ever will )
So !! If they do release a one for 2019 then at the earliest we won’t see them till 2020.
🤣🤣

Rachel Hooperon June 4, 2018 at 9:32 am

Hi Bill, there certainly have been a lot of new coin releases and many people share your frustration concerning the difficulty of being able to find them in your change. It’s likely that the Brexit coin would feature on a £5 and the £5 coins are mainly intended as souvenirs/commemorative coins and are rarely seen in circulation.

matthew harrison May 31, 2018 at 7:35 pm

I think it wood be a great idea to have a coin like this . we had so many coin over the years that mark think like this so yes

Rachel Hooperon June 1, 2018 at 10:02 am

Thanks for voting Matthew. Will be interesting to see what the common consensus will be!